Can you recommend some essential art comics for someone new to the genre?

For newcomers, I recommend 'Fun Home' by Alison Bechdel (a memoir exploring family and identity), 'Persepolis' by Marjane Satrapi (a powerful autobiographical account of growing up during the Iranian Revolution), 'Jimmy Corrigan, the Smartest Kid on Earth' by Chris Ware (known for its complex layouts and emotional depth), and 'Building Stories' by Chris Ware (a unique, non-linear narrative presented as a box of different comic formats).